In a spectacular display of batting prowess at the Holkar Stadium in India, South African opener Tazmin Brits etched her name into cricket history books on Monday, becoming the first woman cricketer to score five ODI centuries in a single calendar year.
The 32-year-old right-handed batter achieved the milestone during South Africa’s commanding victory over New Zealand in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. Brits’ century came off just 86 balls, featuring 15 boundaries and one six, as she guided her team to a comprehensive win.
“This achievement is beyond my wildest dreams,” Brits told th media after her match-winning performance. “To break such records on the world’s biggest stage is incredibly humbling.”
Brits’ remarkable innings of 101 runs from 89 balls not only secured her fifth ODI century of the year but also established her as the fastest player to reach seven ODI centuries, achieving the feat in just 41 innings. This surpassed the previous record held by former Australian captain Meg Lanning.
The South African star’s celebration – a distinctive bow-and-arrow gesture before her dismissal by New Zealand’s Lea Tahuhu – has already become an iconic moment of the tournament.
India’s Smriti Mandhana previously held the record with four ODI centuries in 2024-2025.
South Africa’s victory was not solely dependent on Brits’ heroics. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba delivered a crucial four-wicket haul (4/40), restricting New Zealand to 231 runs in their first innings.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, marking her 300th international appearance, contributed a valiant 85 runs but couldn’t prevent her team’s defeat as South Africa reached the target with ease.
This performance positions South Africa as serious contenders for the World Cup title, with Brits leading from the front. Cricket analysts suggest that her current form could be the defining factor in South Africa’s campaign.
The Proteas Women victory over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup is sure to have brought confidence back to the team, after a devastating opening match defeat to England. The Proteas face India today (9 October) in Visakhapatnam, India at 11:00 (SA time)..
The match at Indore will be remembered not just for South Africa’s victory, but as the day women’s cricket witnessed one of its greatest individual achievements in ODI history.
FINAL SCORE:
New Zealand: 231 all out
South Africa: 232/3 (Tazmin Brits 101, Sophie Devine 85)
South Africa wins by 7 wickets
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